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| Open Books' new home | |
After 25 years in its current location, Open Books: A Poem Emporium, Seattle, Wash., is moving into a new site, in the Good Arts Building in Pioneer Square, which the store described in an e-mail to customers as "one of Seattle's most accessible, beautiful, and historical neighborhoods, where we believe our beloved bookstore will not only persevere but thrive."
The historic brick storefront with "large, street-facing windows is a charming, warm, and inviting space sure to delight old friends and new passersby alike," Open Books continued. "The wider layout of the store will allow readers to roam between bookcases with ease, and a separate parlor space will enable intimate gatherings of poets for classes, workshops, craft talks, reading groups, submitting parties, individual studio time, and more. Add to all of this the close proximity of the light rail and a wonderful neighboring coffee shop and, well, we're still pinching ourselves to see if it's real."
Because the store has struggled during the pandemic "without event sales and with restricted in-store shopping," it's "not in a financial position to shoulder the myriad expenses of a move and the outfitting of an entirely new shop. We are calling upon our local community and lovers of literature far and wide to support us in taking this exciting next step."
Open Books hopes to raise $50,000 "to secure a long-term and sustainable future... Every gift will go toward building a new home and a new future for Open Books. Our poem emporium has been around for more than 25 years. And we'd love to be around for 25 more." As of yesterday, the store had raised more than $21,000 toward the $50,000 goal.